Propeller stand

ABSTRACT

A propeller stand for hauling ship and airplane propellers. The stand includes a horizontally disposed base member with an inclined platform attached thereto. A draw bar is threaded through a selected spacer assembly, selected in accordance with the dimensions of the propeller and the propeller is loaded onto the platform and spacer assembly. The draw bar is then firmly secured in position with a bearing plate abutting the propeller firmly holding it in position.

Umted States Patent [1511 3,695,566 Lee 1 51 Oct. 3, 1972 PROPELLER STAND 3,347,353 10/1967 Kline ..206/1 72 I t A edLee, d N 3,198,324 8/1965 Kallenbach et al....248/119 X 1 Ce Gmve J 3,493,201 2/1970 Marran ..248/l9 [73] Assignee: Main Trucking & Rigging Co., Inc., Paterson, NJ. Primary Examiner]. Franklin Foss [22} Filed: March 25, 1970 Att0rney--Lilling & Siegel [21] Appl. No.: 22,484 [57] ABSTRACT A propeller stand for hauling ship and airplane propel- [52] US. Cl. ..248/119 R, 105/367, 206/46 M lers. The stand includes a horizontally disposed base [51 1111.0. ..B60p 7/08 member with an inclined platform attached thereto. A [58] Field of Search ..248/l19, 19, 13; 280/179; draw bar is threaded through a Selected Spacer 105/367 206/46 M, 46 H sembly, selected in accordance with the dimensions of the propeller and the propeller is loaded onto the plat- [56] References Cited form and spacer assembly. The draw bar is then firmly secured in position with a bearing plate abutting the UNITED STATES PATENTS propeller firmly holding it in position. 2,903,274 9/1959 Leonard 105/367 X 9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDflm m2 I 3.695.566

' SHEET 2 BF 2 V IIN'VENTOR. ALFRED LEE ATTORA *Ys 1 PROPELLER STAND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a propeller stand, and more particularly, to a propeller stand used for hauling ship and airplane propellers.

During transportation of ship and airplane propellers, they frequently become dislodged causing significant damage. When transported by truck, the width of such propellers frequently imposes severe restrictions on the trucker because of statehighway laws. Due to the deficiencies of the prior art hauling propeller stands, truckers are severely limited and insurance is frequently difficult to obtain.

An object of the present invention is to provide a propeller stand which rigidly holds a propeller in place during transportation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a propeller stand suitable for hauling propellers on trucks.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a propeller stand which when hauling propellers on trucks minimizes the road width occupied.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a propeller stand which is relatively impervious to weather conditions.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro- ,vide a propeller stand which may be conveniently used with various sized propellers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a propeller stand which is easy to utilize.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a propeller stand which is relatively easy to assemble and fabricated of relatively inexpensive elements.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the above objects are accomplished by providing a propeller stand made of relatively weather resistant materials comprising a base member and an inclined platform member secured to the base member. A threaded draw bar is passed through the platform member and a spacer assembly selected in accordance with the dimensions of the propeller. After the propeller is loaded onto the platform and spacer assembly, a bearing plate is placed thereon and the whole assembly on the draw bar is rigidly secured together by means of bolts. A bottom locating spacer,-approximately the size and shape of the inner surface of the propeller shaft properly locates the propeller on the spacer assembly and prevents the propeller from shifting while being transported.

FIGURES FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the propeller stand and a propeller supported thereon.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view taken generally along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A ships propeller or airplane propeller may be conveniently hauled with the propeller stand of thepresent invention. When using the present stand, the width of a truck required to haul propellers from 12 to 20 feet is significantly reduced.

The propeller 10 comprising blades 12 and a propeller shaft 14 is supported on a rigid frame 16 suitable to being loaded on a truck trailer for hauling. The frame constitutes a horizontally disposed base 18 formed by two pairs of intersecting beams 20 nd 22, beams 20 consist of two spaced apart parallel front and rear beams 24 and 26, respectively, while the second pair 22 consists of two spaced apart left and right parallel beams 28 and 30, respectively, and which are disposed perpendicularly to beams 24 and 26 while being in the same plane as and being welded to beams 24 and 26 at their intersecting regions. When the beam members forming the base assembly of the propeller stand are welded or rigidly secured together, a relatively sturdy base member for the stand is formed.

The propeller stand is provided with a platform member 32 which supports the propeller stand. The platform member is fixedly secured to the base 18 and upwardly inclined therefrom. In particular, the platform is formed by a pair of upstanding spaced apart parallel left and right and middle I beams 34, 36 and 37, respectively, with left and right beams 34 and 36 disposed in the same vertical plane as beams 28 and 30, respectively, although intersecting therewith. A pair of spaced apart upstanding left and right framing members 38 and 40, respectively, are joined to the rear I- beam 26. Framing member 38 consists of an l-beam 42 serving as strut connected at an angle between rear beam 26 and an upstanding I-beam 44. One end of upstanding l-beam 44 is joined or welded to left beam 28 at the base portion at approximately the same point as is rear beam 26 joined to beam 28 while the other end is welded or joined to left I-beam 34 of the platform. Strut 42 is joined to the left side of left upstanding I- beam 44 and is rigidly secured thereto. Right framing member 40 is also formed by an upstanding l-beam and a strut which are complementarily located with respect to the elements of left framing member 38 but are not shown. The platform member 32 is formed by the previously described left and right I-beams 34 and 36, respectively, and by upper and lower parallel cross I- beams 46 and 48, respectively, located between and welded or joined to beams 34 and 36.

The front face of platform member 32 is provided with a more shock absorbant material upon which the rear surface of shaft 14 rests than the steel I-beam members, and to that end, strips of wood 50, S2, 53, 54 and 56 are placed in facing relationship with the front surface of beams 34, 3.6, 37, 46 and 48, respectively. Other materials may be used for the support and shock absorbing functions provided by the wood resting platshaped brackets 58 and 60, respectively, provide additional support for the load bearing brackets. Shock absorber means 66 and 68 are attached to the front of the upstanding leg members of brackets 58 and 60, respectively, and may comprise, for instance, wood or rubber.

Although some of the propeller load is supported by the inclined platform and bracket assembly described above, the present propeller stand presents axial support means which securely and firmly holds the inclined propeller in place. In particular, a cross-beam member 70, preferably made of wood is permanently held in an inclined position below the platform member 32. An axial through-hole 72 aligned with the shaft of the propeller and a through-hole 73 in middle beam of platform member 32 is provided through cross-beam member 70. A threaded bolt member or draw bar 74 is passed through the through-holes 72 and 73 and extends above the platform member 32. A brass nut is threaded onto the bolt 74 under the cross-beam member 70. A disc-shaped bottom locating spacer 76, preferably, made of wood, with an axial through-hole 78 is placed directly on platform member 32 while two additional spacers, generally disc-shaped but of a smaller diameter than spacer 76, 80 and 82, preferably, made of wood, with axial through-holes 84 and 86, respectively, are placed on top of spacer 76. Still additional spacers are utilized to accommodate the depth of propeller 10. In particular, a cylindrically shaped block made of wood 88 serving as a spacer is provided with an axial through-hole 90 and is placed on top of spacer 82 while spacers 92 and 94, generally disc-shaped and made of wood with axial through-holes 96 and 98, respectively, are placed on top of cylindrical'spacer 88. After the proper amount of spacers are used to accommodate the depth of the propeller, the axial bore 100 through the front portion of the propeller is placed over the spacer assembly with the through-bolt passing through all the spacers and the axial bore 100. The diameter of bottom spacer 76 is approximately equal to the diameter of the inner surface of the propeller shaft 14 to properly locate the propeller when loaded onto the platform 32 and prevent it from shifting after being secured in place. After the propeller is properly loaded onto the platform, a bearing plate 102, preferably made of plywood, having an axial through-hole 104 is placed on top of the front of the propeller. A disc-shaped shim 106 having an axial through-hole 108 is placed on top of the bearing plate 102 while another smaller diameter disc-shaped bearing plate 110, preferably made of steel, having an axial through-hole 112 is placed on top of shim member 106. A nut 114 is then threaded onto through-bolt or draw bar 74 and is firmly tightened against bearing plate 110 firmly holding the propeller is position.

It may thus be seen that the propeller stand of the present invention may efficiently be used with various size propellers. The propeller stand insures that the propeller will be firmly held in place during hauling with load shifting being prevented. Further, the arrangement of the elements of the propeller stand minimizes the hauling width which is of extreme importance over commonly used highways.

Throughout the description of the propeller stand, such terms as right, left, middle, upper, lower and other direction orientated terms have been utilized. It is to be understood that these terms are used merely to more clearly describe the location of the various elements and members of the propeller stand and, therefore, should be considered as merely descriptive and illustrative. Further, it has been suggested that some specific materials be utilized in the construction of the propeller stand. It is to be understood that such members and elements may be constructed and fabricated of other suitable materials.

The above description is merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Therefore, the propeller stand invention should be accorded the full scope of protection to which it is entitled, including equivalents and modifications made by those of ordinary skill in the art, by reason of this patent application.

Iclaim:

l. A propeller stand for rigidly supporting and holding a propeller having a shaft while being transported, comprising a generally horizontally disposed base member, an inclined square-shaped platform member, said inclined platform member being rigidly joined to said base member at the base of said inclined platform and adjacent the upper end of said inclined platform by a pair of upstanding parallel, spaced apart, support members (40, 44), an axial support member securing said propeller to said platform member; said base member having a first pair of substantially parallel disposed, spaced apart, horizontal, support members (24, 26) and a second pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart, horizontal, support members (28, 30) intersecting and joined to said first pair of support members; said platform member having a pair of spaced apart, inclined, substantially parallel, support members, (34, 36), and a pair ofintermediate support members (46,48) disposed substantially parallel to each other, and between said inclined support members and being joined to said inclined support members and forming a frame therewith having a top surface, and a further pair of spaced apart, support members (58, each of said further pair of support members being attached to a respective one of said inclined pair of support members, said further pair of support members, preventing said propeller from sliding down said inclined platform, and including a shock-absorbent material disposed between said propeller and said further support members; and a cross-beam provided below said platform; said cross-beam being provided with a through-hole to receive said axial support member, a first nut communicating with a first end of said axial support member; said first end of said axial support member projecting below said cross-beam, and a second out communicating with a second end of said axial support member, said second end projecting above said propeller, and said second nut drawing said propeller firmly against said spacer assembly.

2. A propeller stand as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second pairs of support members are l beams.

3. A propeller stand as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top surface of said frame is faced with a relatively shock-absorbant material.

4. A propeller stand as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inclined and intermediate pair of support members are l-beams.

of approximately the same size and shape of said inner surface of said propeller shaft for locating said propeller with respect to said axial support member and preventing said propeller from shifting.

8. A propeller stand as set forth in claim 6, wherein a bearing plate is placed on top of said propeller, said bearing plate being provided with an axial through-hole capable of receiving said axial support member.

9. A propeller stand as set forth in claim 8, wherein a shim member is located between said bearing member and said propeller. 

1. A propeller stand for rigidly supporting and holding a propeller having a shaft while being transported, comprising a generally horizontally disposed base member, an inclined squareshaped platform member, said inclined platform member being rigidly joined to said base member at the base of said inclined platform and adjacent the upper end of said inclined platform by a pair of upstanding parallel, spaced apart, support members (40, 44), an axial support member securing said propeller to said platform member; said base member having a first pair of substantially Parallel disposed, spaced apart, horizontal, support members (24, 26) and a second pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart, horizontal, support members (28, 30) intersecting and joined to said first pair of support members; said platform member having a pair of spaced apart, inclined, substantially parallel, support members, (34, 36), and a pair of intermediate support members (46,48) disposed substantially parallel to each other, and between said inclined support members and being joined to said inclined support members and forming a frame therewith having a top surface, and a further pair of spaced apart, support members (58, 60); each of said further pair of support members being attached to a respective one of said inclined pair of support members, said further pair of support members, preventing said propeller from sliding down said inclined platform, and including a shock-absorbent material disposed between said propeller and said further support members; and a cross-beam provided below said platform; said cross-beam being provided with a through-hole to receive said axial support member, a first nut communicating with a first end of said axial support member; said first end of said axial support member projecting below said cross-beam, and a second nut communicating with a second end of said axial support member, said second end projecting above said propeller, and said second nut drawing said propeller firmly against said spacer assembly.
 2. A propeller stand as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second pairs of support members are I - beams.
 3. A propeller stand as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top surface of said frame is faced with a relatively shock-absorbant material.
 4. A propeller stand as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inclined and intermediate pair of support members are I-beams.
 5. A propeller stand as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said further pair of support members includes an L-bracket.
 6. A propeller stand as set forth in claim 1, wherein said stand includes a spacer assembly mounted on said axial support member, said propeller being mounted on said spacer assembly, said spacer assembly being located with the inner surface of said shaft of said propeller and fixedly securing said propeller to said platform member.
 7. A propeller stand as set forth in claim 6, wherein said spacer assembly is provided with a locating spacer of approximately the same size and shape of said inner surface of said propeller shaft for locating said propeller with respect to said axial support member and preventing said propeller from shifting.
 8. A propeller stand as set forth in claim 6, wherein a bearing plate is placed on top of said propeller, said bearing plate being provided with an axial through-hole capable of receiving said axial support member.
 9. A propeller stand as set forth in claim 8, wherein a shim member is located between said bearing member and said propeller. 